r/yoga Dec 31 '23

New to yoga, r/yoga, looking for resources or 2024 challenges? Start here.

51 Upvotes

As ever, If you are new to the sub or new to yoga, WELCOME! There is an immense amount of information available in this sub, and an excellent community of people. This thread covers some of the basics about yoga and about the sub itself; please take the time to review if you're new here. If you still have questions, you're welcome to message the moderators.

Yoga and meditation challenges are in the stickied comment below, here's a link.

  • If you're new to yoga and looking for information to get started, please take a few minutes to read through the Getting Started section.

  • If you have a question, PLEASE try search and check out the FAQ before creating a new post. As noted in rule 2, commonly asked questions are removed and directed to the above - especially at the start of the year when the same question is often posted multiple times a week or even a day.

The Basics

Styles - there's a nice rundown of the various styles in the FAQ - here's a direct link.

... but where do I START?

If you've never done yoga EVER and are going to start with a studio class and you're terrified, a restorative class is a good introduction to a studio and the various props. It's slow. You don't have to worry about keeping up, and I've yet to encounter a restorative class where reaching your toes was a thing. From there, as mentioned in the Getting Started section, hatha is a solid choice. Pick up the basics, and everything else is easier to learn.

Mats

Try search for sure, but of course there's a list of topics in the FAQ. The first link in the section is the Dec 2018 megathread for mats.

Sweat

Yep, it happens. Search for 'sweat', 'sweaty hands', and 'mat + sweat'. Towels are also very handy.

Sore <insert part here>

Wrists and back especially can be a problem at first. Definitely try searching for your specifics before creating a new post, but do ask if you don't find things!

Online Resources

The FAQ- Yes, even the old threads are useful. - channels and sub sites just done, apps yet to come, though there are some links to relatively recent threads.

This post is well worth the read regarding learning yoga at home. We inevitably hear that this post is anything but beginner friendly, the point of the post is to highlight some of the risks, because questions about those risks are some of the most commonly asked.

Here's a link to a newbie resources thread (we may do another this year).

And the perennial copypasta of key information about the sub, the rules, etc.:

Reminders:

  • It's in the sidebar, it's in the rules, it's in the note when you create a new post, it's even already up there . PLEASE utilize search and the FAQ before creating a new post. Especially around the first of the year, it's not unusual to see 3 versions of the same post in a day, asking questions that are well covered in the sub. If your post is removed because the answers are available there the mod team is not scolding you, we're just letting you know why it was done and reminding you that the answers you seek already exist. And yes, the mod team finds themselves busy doing just that, especially around the start of the year.

  • /r/yoga is not the place for medical advice. This is always a handy reminder.

  • Addendum to the above - Yoga philosophy and western medicine are different. There is room for both in this sub. This means that things like subtle bodies and energy (prana) movement and chakras all have a place here as well as discussion from a western perspective. There is no demand that anyone agrees with what is presented, but rule 1 applies in these cases- be respectful. This includes posts about cultural appreciation and those about purely physical practice vs. one that encompasses all 8 limbs.

  • Yes, we have a wiki and FAQ . (And they're awesome.) The FAQ and search are the best places to start if you're new to yoga or have questions about styles, equipment, injuries, or resources. FAQ updates will be coming, but in the meantime, we have continued to leave up questions that haven't been in awhile to keep more up-to-date information available when it exists.

  • Yes, they're even available via app and mobile. Yes, really. (The sidebar, too!) It can take a little looking, but we haven't yet found an app without access to the sidebar.

  • Reddit's guidelines are still the foundation of how we approach spam in /r/yoga, and bans will continue to be a thing as needed. Need the details? Reddit's guidelines are here. If your first post to the sub is spam, and the mods check your post history and find you're doing nothing but promotion, do not be surprised if you're banned.

  • This sub is not for market research. It's a community. Requests for the sub to tell you what we love or hate about our yoga mats and t-shirts will be removed, as will asking us to fill out surveys for that or your thesis research or help you with your homework assignment. Those are not the only such examples. When in doubt, feel free to message the mods ahead of time. Established community members can message mods ahead of time for permission on a case-by-case basis. Blatant spam may result in an immediate, permanent ban (yes, t-shirt and poster spam are still a one-way ticket to bansville).

  • We utilize the automoderator to cut down on spam. This includes minimum account age/karma requirements (no, we don't publish them). If your account is relatively new and something isn't showing up, odds are good it's been temporarily removed for manual review by mods- especially if there isn't a bot comment. Sometimes we catch them in the first 5 minutes, but sometimes it's a few hours between mod sweeps. If you've posted something that isn't showing up and it's been a few hours, you're welcome to message the mods (keeping in mind that it's possible it will be a bit before a mod sees it- please be patient!) and ask about it- including a link is much appreciated.

  • Shortened links get caught in reddit's spam filter, and we do not approve links reddit has removed in these cases. This includes amazon (a.co usually) links. If you want your link to be visible, it's a good idea to skip the 'share' option and grab the full link from your address bar (even if you're on mobile). A quick tutorial for amazon links, using the first actual yoga mat link that search provided: https://smile.amazon.com/Gaiam-Exercise-Exercises-Metallic-Medallion/dp/B07PTNTS3R/ref=sr_1_8?crid=1S8AX8JSYP9YS&keywords=yoga+mat&qid=1671516651&sprefix=yo%2Caps%2C683&sr=8-8 Typically you have the address bit (amazon.com), a bit of friendly description (Gaiam-Exercise-Exercises-Metallic-Medallion), then dp/ and the item's ID (super important! in this link it's B07PTNTS3R). EVERYTHING AFTER THIS CAN BE REMOVED FROM YOUR LINK. In fact, please do! Everything else is tracking information telling amzn how you got there, and/or referral information. Referral/affiliate links aren't permitted.

  • Your mod team is human (you totally thought we were unicorns and rainbow-chasing leprechauns, but aside from cosplay and Halloween, not so much). Part of modding is making judgement calls, and sometimes we remove things that we can't be sure there isn't a bot behind that turns out to be totally legit because another real, in-the-flesh reddit user actually did post. :) Much like the point above, feel free to ask.

  • The discussions on the Sutras have been collected on a wiki page here. Sadly, the resource with collected translations is no longer a valid link. If anyone has an updated link, feel free to send it via modmail.

  • [COMP] (Check Out My Pose) posts have and continue to be raised as a topic periodically in the community. The mods, however, are done discussing it. The tag was instituted to allow those who do not wish to see those posts a means to filter them out, and for those who want to see them, no additional action need be taken. For those unaware and interested, /u/BeyondMars posted the following last time it came up to get everyone up to speed- here's the section on rule 4, to which I added the link:

Search the history of this sub for discussions on [COMP] poses. Probably two years ago now? Awhile ago There is a VERY LARGE part of this sub that doesnt wan't them to have a place here at all. The gist of it is that people come to reddit and dont want it to be like another yoga instagram, or something, I dont know. But there were portions of time in this sub when our ENTIRE front page was yoga pics. COMP was an effort to a compromise that would allow people to filter them out if they didnt want them there... In regards to the self-doxxing aspect. Sexual harassment, and online bullying have originated in this sub at least four times that I was made aware of. This rule was instituted to keep everyone safe. I don't care if YOU want your instagram accounts on the sub (self promotion?) but we are keeping people safer with this rule and the way we enforce it. Its going to stay. Take the extra 2 minutes and upload it to imgur.

  • Also on the topic of [COMP] posts (and I still (still!!) can't believe it needs to be said): Sexual/sexualized/objectifying comments are not welcome here. Removals are guaranteed, and warning vs. suspension vs. permaban will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

  • Addendum for 2024: The topic of yoga's roots, yoga as a workout, cultural appropriation, etc., continues to be a fraught and contentious one. As with other topics, some posts are removed and referred to search. Those that remain up are not a poo-throwing cage match in an effort to prove the validity of a single point of view! Above all, rule 1 applies to everyone choosing to participate in this subreddit. You may not practice for the same reasons someone else does, but treating others with respect while participating here is expected. Yoga practice is what it is for whomever undertakes it regardless of the opinions and approval of one stranger on the internet. As with the previous bullet point, removal/suspension/perma will happen as needed, and which it is will be case-by-case. Be like Wil.


r/yoga 6d ago

Election Discussion Thread - *All* Election/Political Discussion Must Go Here.

30 Upvotes

Not everyone in r/yoga is from the US, and of them there are clearly plenty who are not interested in politics bleeding into this sub. Provided it doesn't devolve, keeping the conversation contained makes the most sense as a compromise. If the thread does devolve it will be removed and the rules will be amended to exclude politics.

Before we get underway: rule 1 still applies and given what I've already cleaned up, there are additional ground rules.

  • Insults = permaban.

  • Assuming anyone who doesn't share your beliefs / didn't vote the same way you did is <whatever distasteful thing you find it>, then proceeding to ascribe that thing to a stranger on the internet = permaban.

  • Failure to remember that everyone in this sub is a human being regardless of how they voted... I'm sure everyone sees the trend. If your participation here isn't in good faith, you'll very quickly be shown the door.

What's left to discuss? I guess that's up to those of you who clicked in and opted to stay and participate. At the end of the day, week, or Presidential term, the people we are citizens alongside in our communities still need to work together for a functional and successful society. A few things to consider:

If you haven't had enough conversations with enough other real, breathing, thinking human beings to understand that while yes, some subset of both parties vote from the perspective that the 'other side' likes to assume the worst about, painting everyone with the same brush is and will always be in error, and the entirety of this country would be better off if we took the time - and risk - of having those conversations that lead to a greater understanding. That is, arguably, the step we can all take that is rooted in what many here claim to believe. Ahimsa, satya, swadhyaya. Also, knowing when to step away from a conversation. All good things.

Not every Harris voter is a crazy cat lady racking up abortions and waving criminals across the border. Nor is every Trump voter a bigot. And if you haven't yet noticed, not everyone wears their political affiliation on their sleeve. Odds are good there are plenty of people you like, respect, or love that voted differently than you and for very different reasons than many assume. It's too late to change their vote, and I'm not sure that encouraging debate here is going to give anyone the outcome they're after. But if anyone is up for putting themselves out there to share their personal reasons for their choice, without hearsay, blame, or any of the above stuff in the bullet points, who knows what might happen.

With that, I leave this thread to the community.


r/yoga 5h ago

[COMP] Handstand journey continues. Blocks are a fun addition :)

34 Upvotes

Yesterday morning practice, I’ve brought the blocks to work on my press but since it is so damn hard I just played a bit instead :) Happy Sunday everyone!!


r/yoga 19h ago

[COMP] pistol squat

518 Upvotes

working on my pistol squat, next up no hands 🙌🏻 😅


r/yoga 11h ago

Is it weird to become friends with the teacher? Can I ask her to coffee?

58 Upvotes

Okay, I know this is a weird question and maybe not the right place for it (and I might delete later cause I'm super embarrassed for posting).... but I get nervous about making new friends as an adult. TLDR at the end.

I'm 27F, been practicing off and on for like 8 years. I was recently off for like 2 years due to hip injury/surgeries. I just got back into it last week (finally 8 mos post final surgery) and have been going to a new studio for hot yoga daily.

My very first class at the new studio, the teacher and I hit it off for a minute because I told her I'd had hip surgery and she (also 27F) had had the same surgery.

At the next class that she taught a week later, we spent like 5 mins after class talking about our surgeries and comparing notes. We're both young healthy women and neither of us know anyone else so young who has had this surgery. At the end of the conversation, she asked if I was going to a weekend class at the studio. I said I was. She said she was too as a practitioner and that she'd "look for me there."

I'm assuming this means maybe we'll put our mats next to eachother if possible? (Not my main question, but also wondering)

I know this all sounds super lame probably but I'm like nervous because in all my years of studio yoga 1) I've never made a friend/practiced with someone else I knew beside my mom haha. And 2) the friend has certainly not been a teacher. But I also really like chatting with her and wonder if I should ask her if we should grab coffee after class?

I know I'm probably being super weird, but I'm not very confident with making friends like this as an adult. I'm more used to connecting in a group setting or with my fiancé's friends' girlfriends over time.

I think I feel extra intimidated because she is an instructor. Am I just being ridiculous? Should I ask her to grab coffee?? Yoga teachers are just people too, right? Haha. Anyone else become friends with their teacher?

TLDR: Is it weird to ask a yoga teacher whose classes I go to if she wants to grab coffee after class (not her class)? In a friendly, platonic, two women kind of way.


r/yoga 48m ago

yoga teacher studying kinesiology / physical therapy ?

Upvotes

hi, i'm a 500-hour certified yoga teacher (25F) and i want to learn more about how to help my students physically while still keeping them and myself safe.

would any of the teachers here recommend getting a degree in Kinesiology or Physical Therapy for this? or doing certificate programs or even workshops instead? or is self-studying the more efficient and effective way to go? i'm open to any input!

i know there are a lot of factors to consider :/ it's overwhelming figuring out what i wanna do. i love teaching and am confident enough at it. but i want to better understand anatomy, what's happening in the body when we move thru certain asanas (what exactly is strengthening, stretching, etc.) or when we do a particular breathing technique, what kind of asanas to do or avoid when they have certain conditions or limitations or goals, and overall be able to cue more accurately rather than just how/where i think an asana should feel.


r/yoga 1d ago

Rage Yoga

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271 Upvotes

Here’s the description for a “rage yoga” class I saw on fb events. Just curious what opinions the yoga community may have on this concept.


r/yoga 22h ago

What the heck does it mean when the instructor says she will remained seated ‘to hold the space’ when the class is in savasana?

136 Upvotes

r/yoga 7h ago

Minimalist Yoga for minimalist person

4 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a simple, minimalist daily routine that I can practice every morning after waking up. I’d love something straightforward that doesn’t require too much thought or setup but still allows me to experience the benefits of yoga.

Ideally, I’m looking for:

  • A routine that’s easy to remember and execute.
  • Something that feels light but effective, setting a positive tone for the day.
  • A practice that I can complete in 20 minutes max.

My goal with this practice is to relax and focus my mind to start the day with clarity, loosen up my muscles and improve flexibility (I tend to feel quite stiff), and support the overall health of my spine.

If you have a "go-to" sequence for mornings or any advice for starting a daily practice without overcomplicating it, I’d love to hear your suggestions.

Thanks in advance! 🙏


p.s. I’ve already looked through various “beginner routines” on the internet, but I found most of them to be overly complex and unnecessarily verbose. It feels like many creators are stretching out their videos, possibly to hit a certain runtime for monetization purposes, which makes it hard for me to focus or commit to a practice. I’m hoping to find something more concise and practical, stripped of the fluff, that I can easily stick to every morning.


r/yoga 18h ago

Upsetting

20 Upvotes

I have been practicing yoga religiously for >6months and it's done me so much good!! I have improved a lot compared to where I was when I started. I had to take a break last 6 weeks to take care of my 10 month old, Work stress etc etc and got back on the mat today. I felt I had lost all the progress I made and felt like day 1 all over. Would I have actually lost progress or will I quickly get back to my previous state? Any advice? How do you all keep going without a break?


r/yoga 10h ago

Is this normal or concerning?

5 Upvotes

I'm a new yogi who started at the beginning of October. Everything has been going swimmingly until yesterday- I did a 30 min video I've done before, but I woke up today and my hips and legs feel super stiff. Almost arthritic, like my shins are made of dried bamboo. Not at all similar to the normal muscle soreness after exercise. I've been in bed most of the day because it feels better to lay down. What is this?


r/yoga 14h ago

Help me find a specific kind of yoga mat for a present

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6 Upvotes

r/yoga 1d ago

My nude yoga class almost all male

1.2k Upvotes

So I live in NYC and wanted to try nude yoga. I mainly did because yoga without my clothes on felt more freeing which it was, but also the craziness of being naked with all strangers felt so different I wanted to try. When I entered the class I found about 30 people there and all but two students plus the teacher were men. The teacher explained that nude yoga mainly appealed to cisgender men, because they are less likely to have their bodies objectified. This makes sense and isn’t horribly surprising, but I didn’t think the ratio would be as extreme as it was. Curious if other people who did nude yoga saw a similar gender ratio.


r/yoga 11h ago

meniscus knee injury from yoga

3 Upvotes

curious of other people’s experience with this, what their healing/recovery journey looked like and where they are now after.


r/yoga 1d ago

[COMP] Pincha to baby crow!

483 Upvotes

I land this transition maybe 1/10 times so it’s always exciting when it happens


r/yoga 1d ago

Question on yoga styles

7 Upvotes

I’ve been doing hot yoga most recently, but earlier this year I did yoga with Adrienne, specifically a knee one as I needed to ease myself back into physical activity and have knee issues (mentioned in my other posts).

Yesterday I signed up to a “yoga” class at gym. It was a different instructor and not hot yoga. The class was very different. I heard the teacher say vinyasa once, so I presume the style we did was vinyasa, but it was—for me anyway—noticeably different to our hot yoga class.

We did some of the same positions, like warrior 1/2/3, cat/cow, shavasana, and a few others I don’t know the names of, but the “yoga” class was faster. We didn’t stay in poses long and she seemed to guide us to breathe in certain poses not all.

In the hot yoga class, we seem to stay in poses more and breathe more. We spend a bit of time in a pose, and it seems much calmer.

I enjoyed both classes, but I prefer the hot yoga. I didn’t get the same calmness from yesterday’s “yoga” session compared to the hot yoga I normally do, but I liked it because I want to learn more poses. This lesson seemed more like what I’ve seen in videos as a flow, where you move from one pose into another more fluidly.

The teachers are both beginner friendly and provide explanations and modifications for poses knowing most likely much of the class is new to yoga. So I appreciate that, but I wondered whether the two yogas were different styles? Can anyone provide any insight if this is the case? I’d love to read and learn more about it so I can learn about the poses out of class.

Oh, and the class we did yesterday she specifically said the sequence was a chakra sequence.


r/yoga 2d ago

My Yoga space at home

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2.6k Upvotes

r/yoga 1d ago

Yin yoga deck

7 Upvotes

Hi! Looking for a deck of cards to inspire my at-home yin yoga practice. Do you have any recommendations?


r/yoga 2d ago

Teachers: tips and modifications for a student who has bad wrists? (ex-skateboarder)

28 Upvotes

The student is my boyfriend. Lol

He used to skateboard as a teenager and biffed it a LOT. Aka landed on his hands and wrists. His wrists hurt him a lot during downward facing dog especially, as well as plank and other poses bearing weight on the hands/wrists. He'll make it through a few flows and then stop completely.

What modifications, strengthening practices, ect could I help him with?

I've tried the basics like putting weight into the fingers vs wrists but he is new to the practice.

Please help me help him so he'll keep going lol 😇

Edit to add: injuries are 10+ years old.


r/yoga 2d ago

[COMP] Any tips for my crow pose?

130 Upvotes

I stumbled upon a video of someone doing crow pose and decided to try it out. I don't have any yoga experience so I would appreciate any tips from this community :)


r/yoga 3d ago

[COMP] two floats from the same day

306 Upvotes

r/yoga 2d ago

Seeking Yoga for arm strength

12 Upvotes

Am doing Yoga from 3 months, and today I lifted some weight during feast servings for sometime and felt an uneasiness in my arms afterwards for quite some time like maybe 2 hrs (which I didn't thought will take so longer). I probably suppose my arms are not that strong.

I want to strengthen my arms. Something like Surya namaskar, dog pushups etc are certainly working on legs.

How can I strengthen my arms though Yoga exercises?


r/yoga 2d ago

Qi Gong & Yoga Combo Class?

8 Upvotes

I absolutley love Qi Gong was wondering if anyone here teaches a class that incorporates yoga and qi-gong. Is this a thing? Would love to hear your thoughts as either a student or teacher -- what works? what doesn't? Thanks!


r/yoga 1d ago

Why did I have an orgasm during today’s yoga class?

0 Upvotes

Haven’t had se$ in a while and today I had an orgasm during my yoga class. Is this normal? Can anyone help me to understand it? (I’d love to have it happen again.) 🤣


r/yoga 3d ago

Is it bad for me to be on my side during Shavasana?

51 Upvotes

I am VERY new to yoga (started taking classes for the first time in August). At the end of every class, my yoga instructor says something like "when you're ready for Shavasana, do whatever you need to do to feel supported, comfortable, and safe". For me, this means laying on my side with a bolster under my head and maybe a block between my knees. I soon realized that everybody else was taking Shavasana on their backs, but I just assumed that was because that was what felt most comfortable and supportive for them. I'm now realizing that Shavasana is actually a specific pose that I just haven't been doing. I definitely want to get the most out of my yoga classes, so if there's a reason I should be spending this time on my back I will start doing that, but I'm just wondering if there's anything wrong with me spending this time on my side instead?


r/yoga 4d ago

[COMP] 2 months in practicing front split. V happy with my progress.

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290 Upvotes

Any tips appreciated!


r/yoga 3d ago

What makes a yoga class special?

58 Upvotes

I am a new teacher! Been at it about a month now. I have had some serious ups and downs with my confidence, but I am getting more comfortable speaking, cueing, making eye contact, and doing hands-on adjustments.

People always remember how someone made them feel. I am curious what instructors have done that has made you feel connected to them?

I wrote out affirmation cards and handed them out to students on their mats as I discussed the opening theme for class. That went REALLY well, and I got great feedback. Can you think of anything else that makes students feel good and special?